Effects of probiotic supplementation on testosterone levels in healthy ageing men: A 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.

Levels of the male sex hormone testosterone are generally stable in the age interval 20-70 years, but several studies indicate an earlier, age-dependent decline. Testosterone deficiency is often underdiagnosed and under-treated, but replacement therapy has nonetheless increased during the last couple of years. Owing to possible negative side effects, alternative treatments have been investigated, including different supplementation protocols.

Clinical trial of a probiotic and herbal supplement for lung health.

Introduction: Dysbiosis of the gut microbiome may augment lung disease via the gut-lung axis. Proteobacteria may contribute to tissue proteolysis followed by neutrophil recruitment, lung tissue injury, and perpetuation of chronic inflammation. To study the effects of probiotics across the gut-lung axis, we sought to determine if a probiotic and herbal blend was safe and well-tolerated in healthy volunteers and asthmatic patients.

A water-soluble tomato extract rich in secondary plant metabolites lowers trimethylamine-n-oxide and modulates gut microbiota: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study in overweight and obese adults.

Background: Natural products rich in polyphenols have been shown to lower plasma trimethylamine-n-oxide (TMAO) known for its proatherogenic effects by modulating the intestinal microbiota.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the impact of Fruitflow, a water-soluble tomato extract, on TMAO, fecal microbiota, and plasma and fecal metabolites.

Methods: Overweight and obese adults (n = 22, BMI 28-35 kg/m) were included in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study receiving 2×150 mg Fruitflow per day or placebo (maltodextrin) for 4 wk with a 6-week wash-out between interventions.

Optogenetic and pharmacological interventions link hypocretin neurons to impulsivity in mice.

Neurons in the lateral hypothalamus expressing the neuropeptide Hypocretin, also known as orexin, are known critical modulators of arousal stability. However, their role in the different components of the arousal construct such as attention and decision making is poorly understood. Here we study Hypocretin neuronal circuit dynamics during stop action impulsivity in a Go/NoGo task in mice.

Rubus idaeus extract improves symptoms in knee osteoarthritis patients: results from a phase II double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequent cause of disability in elderly people. In daily practice, the main objective of the physician is to reduce patient symptoms using treatments without adverse effects. However, the most prescribed treatment to manage OA symptoms remains nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which are associated with severe adverse effects.